I need some pointers on compiling a new kernel for SL5x. I haven't done one in a long time and am not familiar with the directory layouts.

I used to unpack the tarball into /usr/src/linux-2.x.yy and create a link /usr/src/linux to point to this directory. Do all the compilation and installing from /usr/src/linux.

Is the preferred method to unpack the tarball into /usr/src/kernels and simply work in /usr/src/kernels/linux-2.x.yy?  I have a vague notion that compiling add-on modules for the running kernel rely on files in /usr/src/kernels/linux-2.x.yy? Is this correct?

Btw, I posted a question about SL5.5's latest kernel not detecting my DVD drive which was connected to the MB's IDE port.  It turns out the Fedora 12's kernel sees it just fine.  Without any BIOS tinkering.  Hence my interest in updating the kernel for SL5x.

I'd also appreciate any caveats (except for auto kernel updates via yum) you may have of running a later kernel with SL5x.

Thanks!

Ken